Dirk Nowitzki, at an exact 6ft 11 (210.8 cm), dominated the NBA with his towering presence, making him a nightmare matchup for opponents throughout his career with the Dallas Mavericks.
Born into an athletic family in Würzburg, Germany—his mother a professional basketball player and father a national handball star—Nowitzki's height propelled him from the German Second Bundesliga, where he scored double-digits as a starter alongside Martti Kuisma, to NBA superstardom.
- Scouted by Germany's national coach after a 24-point game, hailed as the greatest German talent in 15 years.
- Led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship, earning Finals MVP.
- 14-time All-Star, revolutionized power forward play with his height-enabled fadeaway shot.
His 6ft 11 frame was central to his legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats.